Dear Tom,
I have been in the pro shop business for over 15 years and you have to find
the companies that work best for you and support them. Companies like
Adidas, Nike, and Reebok are more difficult to open with and have much
higher minumums and really don't seem to want the pro shop business.
Companies like Tail, Lilly's, Balle de Match, and Slazenger are much more
willing to work with you on opening orders and help you find a niche in the
clothing end. Companies like Prince and Wilson are strong in the hard
market but also offer soft market items and both have a complete clothing
line. If you want to go into the clothing line stick to the basics, solid
skirts, tank tops, some mens shorts and matching shirts and very few
t-shirts. Most tournaments give out t-shirts and they have become a very
slow seller for pro shops. Find a good shoe line like K-Swiss and try to
stick to the high end shoes. Tennis players demand a good quality shoe and
they can't find Tennis Shoes in the Foot Lockers. These stores stock more
fashion tennis shoes and very few high performance shoes. Good luck to you
and help grow the game.
Jimbo Hobson
USPTA pro
Hot Springs Athletic and Racquet Club
Hot Springs Arkansas

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